"THE MATCH"
Paris, 1992. World-renowned champion Aleksei Rashov meets American challenger James Rumiello. In the press room, the two coaches shook hands in front of the journalists, smiling at the cameras while whistling through their teeth: ‘My guy is going to destroy you,’ growled Ivan, the Russian coach. ‘He's been eating nothing but proteins and complex carbohydrates for a month. His brain is a war machine.’ ‘James played chess blindfolded while doing 35 thumb push-ups between each move. He's practically invincible,’ replied Chuck, the American coach, scornfully. At the start of the match, the tension was palpable. Aleksei ran a hand over his forehead, clammy with sweat after weeks of intensive training, while James breathed heavily, trying to control his heart rate. Commentator Isabelle Pandora watched in amazement, aware that she was the only one who knew that these two heroes were not only fighting for the championship, but also for her - the one queen they could never eliminate from their games.
THE ARBITRATOR
Robert de la Parcimonière
Robert de la Parcimonière is reputed to be the most incorruptible chess referee in the galaxy. Before each match, Robert inspects the pieces to make sure they are not doped. The purity of his intentions is reflected in the light color of his sage suit, tailor-made to respect his extreme meticulousness.
THE RUSSIAN CHAMPION
Aleksei Rashov
A Soviet prodigy raised in the rigorous Moscow Chess Academy, he was winning games from the age of 8 months. Famous for his robotic precision and metallic endurance, he can visualise seventy-two moves in advance while maintaining perfect heart control. He learnt how to dress from former KGB psychological warfare experts: ‘the right clothes for the right occasion’. Above all, Aleksei wants to feel comfortable, whether in the gym, at a press conference, or during the most demanding game.
THE AMERICAN CHAMPION
James ‘Capablanca’ Rumiello
Born to wealthy Italian immigrants in Brooklyn, he discovered chess in hospital after an injury (he fell from a window while trying to escape a jealous husband). He combines refined intuitions with brutal physical conditioning; he is said to memorise openings while immersed in ice baths, always smiling and unflappable. Famous for his final sprints in the final hours of play. His Ivy League-inspired wardrobe plays down and plays by the rules; he likes to wear the crests of his sporting circles printed on his shirt.
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THE AMERICAN TRAINER
Chuck N.
A former oil well worker, he became a chess fanatic after finding a manual following a bar brawl. He trains players using methods borrowed from boxing. He believes that America's advantage comes from ‘frontier determination’ and has his students solve chess problems while enduring extreme physical hardship. The light three-piece he favours is de ---, with that typical shimmering russet hue that Chuck uses in the belief that it will distract his opponents.
THE RUSSIAN COACH
Ivan M.
A former Olympic weightlifter, he believes that mental strength is derived from physical pain. He approaches chess training like Soviet military exercises, forcing his protégés to analyse positions while trudging up snow-covered slopes. He has trained three world champions using methods that many consider inhumane. The elegance of his outfits is just as legendary: light, symmetrical suits with lapels as dangerous as the angle of a chessboard.
THE JOURNALIST
Isabelle Pandora
A former Parisian chess prodigy, she gave up competitions after a nervous breakdown at the age of 19. She is now the sport's most respected commentator, known for her psychological insights into the minds of players. But in this case, the game is easy: Isabelle cultivates a passionate relationship with champions on both sides of the Iron Curtain. She is certainly the only woman capable of making these two stern, unflappable chess players lose their heads.
THE PRESS PHOTO
and the love triangle
The two champions, caught in inevitable tension, pose with nervous elegance for the French press photo, alongside journalist Louise, the true trophy of this confrontation. A woman of strong character, she is only won over by the victors.
